158 APIARIES. 



with fine gravel, to absorb the moisture, and keep it 

 free from weeds, grass, straws, &c. The space of 

 ground between and in front of the hives, to the ex- 

 tent of at least three feet, should be covered in the 

 same manner. 



Quiet is essentially necessary to their doing well. 

 Bees do not thrive in the near neighbourhood of in- 

 cessant noise. The apiary, therefore, should be at a 

 distance from smithies, mills, steam-engines, &c., and 

 also from such manufactories as emit noisome smells* 

 When circumstances will admit of it, the apiary should 

 be placed in view from the windows of the family 

 sitting-room. This will save much of the trouble in- 

 curred in watching at swarming time, as well as give 

 greater security from marauders. The hives should 

 be elevated about fifteen inches from the ground, on 

 a single post or pedestal, in preference to three or 

 four, which is the usual number. Vermin are thus 

 prevented by the projecting edge of the floor-board 

 from climbing over and reaching the entrance. It 

 may be laid down as a good rule to have the hives 

 placed as far from one another as the extent of the 

 apiary will admit. When standing at intervals of 

 only two or three feet, the bees are very apt to quarrel 

 amongst themselves. They sometimes mistake their 

 own proper domiciles when too much crowded 

 together, especially when hurrying homewards in the 

 working season, or hastening to escape a shower, and 

 the mistake is attended with fatal consequences. In 

 feeding a weak hive, a close neighbourhood is parti- 

 cularly dangerous ; the smell of the syrup is quickly 



